κίνησις
a moving, stirring
Definition
κίνησις (kinēsis) fundamentally means 'a moving' or 'a stirring,' referring to physical motion or agitation. In its single New Testament occurrence in John 5:3, it describes the 'stirring' or 'moving' of the water at the pool of Bethesda, which was believed to be a supernatural phenomenon that granted healing to the first person who entered. The word captures a specific, observable movement rather than a general state. While not used elsewhere in the New Testament, in broader Greek literature it could also denote political or social disturbance.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in John 5:3. It is employed in a narrative context to describe the periodic, miraculous disturbance of the water in a Jerusalem pool. The usage is purely descriptive of a physical event within a story about healing and Jesus's authority.
Etymology
Derived from the verb κινέω (kineō, G2795), meaning 'to move' or 'to set in motion.' It is a standard noun formation (-σις) indicating the action or result of the verb. Related English words like 'kinetic' and 'cinema' come from the same Greek root, emphasizing movement.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a simple noun for movement, its context in John 5:3 is theologically significant. It sets the stage for Jesus's miracle of healing a paralyzed man, demonstrating His power over supposed supernatural mechanisms and His authority to work on the Sabbath. Understanding that this 'stirring' was a culturally recognized sign highlights the contrast between human superstition and Christ's direct, commanding word.
In the 1st-century setting of John 5, the 'stirring' (κίνησις) of the water was understood by many as an angelic activity (John 5:4, a verse not in the earliest manuscripts but reflecting the popular belief). This reflects a common cultural belief in periodic, divinely caused phenomena at certain healing shrines or pools. The modern reader should note this was a specific local tradition, not a general biblical teaching on healing.
σεισμός (seismos, G4578) — a shaking, quake (like an earthquake), implying a more violent disturbance. τρόμος (tromos, G5156) — a trembling or quaking, often from fear, not physical motion of an object.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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